AS Roma is racing against time to secure a January 2026 loan deal for Josua Zirkzee, the 24-year-old Dutch forward currently stranded at Manchester United, as two sticking points threaten to collapse the entire transfer. Zirkzee, who joined the English giants for €41.5 million in the summer of 2024, has barely touched the pitch under manager Ruben Amorim — just 111 minutes across six Premier League appearances. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America looming, he’s desperate for regular minutes. And according to multiple reports on November 18, 2025, he’s made it clear: AS Roma is his only choice.
Why Zirkzee Wants Out — And Why Roma Wants Him
Zirkzee’s frustration isn’t just about playing time. It’s about legacy. The Netherlands national team is stacking talent at forward, with Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, and the emerging Jurriën Timber pushing for spots. Zirkzee needs to prove he belongs. Roma, meanwhile, is looking to revive its attack after a sluggish first half of the 2025-2026 Serie A campaign. With Tammy Abraham aging and Lorenzo Pellegrini struggling with injuries, the Giallorossi see Zirkzee as the physical, clinical striker they’ve lacked since Edin Džeko left.Here’s the twist: Zirkzee didn’t just pick Roma randomly. He’s a known admirer of manager Daniele De Rossi, whose attacking philosophy at Roma mirrors the high-pressing, direct style Zirkzee thrived in under Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Feyenoord. The Dutchman even turned down offers from Everton and West Ham because, as one source close to the player told The People’s Person, “De Rossi speaks to you like a coach who knows how to get the best out of a striker — not just a number on a sheet.”
The Two Deal-Breakers
But the road to the Stadio Olimpico isn’t paved with goodwill. Two conditions are holding up the deal — and they’re not small.First, Manchester United wants an obligation or option to buy Zirkzee for €35 million at the end of the loan. That’s €6.5 million less than what they paid Bologna in 2024. For a club that’s already lost €20 million on his transfer so far, it’s a loss they’re willing to accept — but only if they get a guarantee.
Second, wages. Zirkzee earns €110,000 per week at Old Trafford. Roma is offering to cover only 50%, which would still make him one of the highest-paid players in the squad. United insists on 100%. That’s a €2.86 million financial burden for Roma in just six months — a sum they’re unwilling to shoulder without a buy clause.
“It’s not about money alone,” said a Roma insider speaking anonymously. “It’s about risk. We’re not buying a future star. We’re borrowing a player who’s already underperformed at the highest level. Why should we pay full wages for that?”
The Contingency Plan: Mathys Tel
Roma isn’t sitting idle. As negotiations stall, they’ve quietly opened talks with Tottenham Hotspur for 19-year-old French forward Mathys Tel. Tel, a pacey, left-footed attacker who’s already scored in the Champions League, is seen as a longer-term project — but one with upside. Unlike Zirkzee, Tel is under contract until 2027 and available on loan without a buy obligation. His market value? Around €25 million. A safer bet, but less proven.“Tel is the Plan B,” confirmed a source within Roma’s transfer department. “Zirkzee is Plan A — but if Plan A doesn’t work by January 10, we move on. We can’t afford to be stuck with a squad that’s underprepared for the Europa League knockout rounds.”
What’s at Stake for Both Clubs
For Roma, this isn’t just about filling a striker slot. It’s about momentum. The club is chasing a top-four finish in Serie A and needs a spark. A goal-scoring Zirkzee could be the catalyst. But if they overpay or overcommit, it could destabilize their wage structure — already stretched thin by Pellegrini’s contract and the new €12 million deal for defender Chris Smalling.For Manchester United, the stakes are more financial than sporting. Amorim’s squad depth is thin, but Zirkzee’s wage is a luxury they can no longer afford. With the Friedkin Group under pressure to reduce debt, shedding €5.7 million in annual wages — even temporarily — is a win. The €35 million buy option is less about profit and more about protecting their investment. If Zirkzee thrives at Roma, they’ll recoup most of the loss. If he flops? They walk away clean.
What’s Next? The January Deadline
The January transfer window opens January 1, 2026, and closes February 2. Roma has made it clear: no deal beyond January 10. Why? Because of UEFA’s squad registration deadline for the Europa League round of 16 — which falls on January 28. Missing that means Zirkzee can’t play in Europe, killing the entire point of the move.Both sides are expected to meet in London on December 5, 2025, for a final face-to-face. If they can’t agree on wage split or buy clause by then, the deal is dead. And Zirkzee? He’ll be stuck at Old Trafford — watching the World Cup qualifiers from the bench.
Background: Zirkzee’s Rise and Fall
Zirkzee’s journey is one of rapid ascent and sudden stagnation. Developed at Feyenoord’s famed academy, he scored 22 goals in 58 Eredivisie appearances before Bologna paid €16.5 million in 2022. His first season in Italy? 15 goals in 38 games. The next? 11 goals in 31, but with a growing reputation as a finisher in big games. United saw a project — a player with pace, power, and poise. What they got was a player who couldn’t adapt to their disjointed system. Amorim prefers a 4-2-3-1 with two strikers — and Zirkzee doesn’t fit either role.Now, he’s looking for a fresh start. Roma offers that. But only if the money talks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Manchester United pushing for a buy clause on Zirkzee if they want him to leave?
Manchester United sees the €35 million buy clause as a safety net. They lost €6.5 million on the initial purchase and can’t afford another write-off. If Zirkzee excels at Roma, they recoup value. If he flops, they walk away without further cost. It’s not about profit — it’s about protecting their balance sheet after a string of underperforming signings.
How does Zirkzee’s situation compare to other stranded United forwards?
Zirkzee joins a growing list of United forwards who’ve struggled under Amorim — notably Antony and Rasmus Højlund, who also saw reduced minutes after big-money signings. Unlike them, Zirkzee has international stakes: he needs game time for the Netherlands’ World Cup squad. That urgency gives him leverage most others don’t have.
What’s the financial impact on AS Roma if they take on full wages?
Covering Zirkzee’s full €110,000 weekly wage for six months would cost Roma €2.86 million — nearly 15% of their entire January transfer budget. With other targets like Tel and potential midfielders in play, taking on that burden without a buy option would force them to sell key assets like Gianluca Mancini or Nicolò Zaniolo — a move they’re not prepared to make.
Why is Mathys Tel a realistic alternative for Roma?
Tel, 19, is a high-upside, low-risk option. He’s already played in the Champions League, speaks French and English, and fits De Rossi’s preferred attacking shape. Tottenham would loan him for free with no buy obligation, and his market value is lower, meaning Roma wouldn’t need to sell players to fund the move. He’s not Zirkzee — but he’s a viable long-term solution.
What happens if the deal isn’t done by January 10?
If no agreement is reached by January 10, Roma will shift focus entirely to Mathys Tel and other targets like Lautaro Martínez’s backup at Inter. Zirkzee will remain at United, likely training with the U21s until the summer. His World Cup hopes would be severely damaged — and his market value could drop below €20 million by next summer.
